H.E. John Dramani Mahama, the president of Ghana, has urged African countries to move their mining industries from extraction to value-added industrialization.
President Mahama emphasized the contradiction of mineral-rich countries continuing to rank among the world’s poorest during his opening remarks at the three-day “Mining in Motion” summit.
“Africa’s minerals continue to fuel global industries while our people see little benefit. We must shift from exporting raw materials to building refineries, processing plants, and manufacturing capabilities that create jobs and capture value locally”, President Mahama stated.
The President gave a summary of Ghana’s plan for reforming the mining industry:
• Developing downstream industries for mineral processing.
• Formalizing artisanal and small-scale mining operations.
• Implementing strict environmental protections and promoting sustainable practices.
• Adopting technology for excavator tracking and chemical monitoring.
• Positioning Ghana as a key player in the global clean energy mineral supply chain.
H.E. Mahama also discussed the growing demand for vital minerals like lithium and graphite as well as the global shift to clean energy.
He underlined Ghana’s willingness to take the lead in this new global environment by creating frameworks for investment, legislation, and policy to explore and develop vital natural resources.
In order to guarantee that mining profits serve all communities and advance development, the President emphasized the importance of openness, responsibility, and sound governance in the mining industry.
Hon. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah (MP), Ghana’s Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, went into great length in his presentation about the importance of sustainable and ethical artisanal mining methods in Ghana.
He emphasized the problems caused by illegal mining, such as the harm to the ecosystem and the health effects.
More than a million people work in Ghana’s artisanal and small-scale mining industry, according to Hon. Buah.
But the industry has faced difficulties, such as the destruction of forests and waterways. He referenced a recent report that claimed the destruction of 5,500 hectares of Ghana’s forest reserves.
The Minister proposed a five-pillar strategy to address these issues, which includes reclaiming degraded lands with a focus on the Tree for Life program, which is scheduled to begin in June 2025; providing alternative livelihoods; addressing stakeholder engagements; reforming the licensing regime; and law enforcement.
He also emphasized how important it is to control and keep an eye on the use of excavators and other earthmoving machinery in the nation.
The significance of community ownership and involvement in mining operations was again underlined by Hon. Armah-Kofi Buah.
“We would encourage large mining companies to share their best practices with the Small-Scale Mining Cooperatives,” he said.
The government would collaborate with interested parties to support sustainable mining methods and generate employment.
He emphasized in his conclusion that the mining industry needs to change its perspective from putting profits ahead of people and the environment to striking a balance between social and environmental responsibility and economic progress.
Source: newsthemegh.com